It is, therefore, important to have a system that helps the society elect good leaders who are committed to public service.
It is with this background that we welcome the introduction of the new Elections Expenses Act of 2009 in Tanzania, which proposes to chip in taxpayers' money to fund election campaigns.
The Act proposes, among other things, that the government pay allowances to party agents who oversee the voting process, instead of them being paid by their respective parties.
In a continent where political parties have not mastered the science of fundraising, state funds will play a big role in promoting political plurality by encouraging small parties to stay in the game.
The emergence of strong opposition parties that are able to challenge the monolithic Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CMM), which continues to dominate Tanzania's political life since it was swept into power by the revolutionary winds that brought in socialism cannot be overlooked.
Modern Tanzania, which embraces capitalism, albeit cautiously, faces many challenges that need a stable and vibrant democracy to thrive.
It is, therefore, time that the electoral process is modernised to reflect the current reality.
This reality is based on the growing unease with which private money (capitalism) is starting to hold sway over Tanzania's political life as reflected by electoral politics.
Holding election campaigns is an expensive affair that now forces politicians to jump into bed with unsavoury businessmen and often ends up with disastrous results that are too obvious if the public procurement scandals that have been uncovered in the recent years are anything to go by.
The new law aims to introduce transparency in campaign finance.
Tanzanians want to know whether there is corrupt local and foreign money influencing their politics.
Tough funding disclosures should be welcomed, but this should not be used for intimidation.
We echo the remarks made two weeks ago by Prime Minister Mr Mizengo Pinda, warned Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) members against allowing people who use money to get into the party's leadership, and later peddle their influence to win government contracts and accumulate personal wealth instead of working for the people.
We urge MPs and the general public to support the new system, which is expected to give opportunity to people to decide whether the aspirant is worth electing without the influence of their money or that of their friends and business associates.